Labuan Bajo is a small harbour town on the western tip of Flores, in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province, and the jumping-off point for Komodo National Park. Boats leave its busy waterfront every morning for islands where Komodo dragons roam, for pink-sand beaches and for some of the richest dive sites in Asia. Flights to Labuan Bajo are the practical way in for travellers from Singapore, because the town is remote and a long way from Indonesia's other hubs by sea.

About Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo

Location

Komodo International Airport (LBJ) is right on the edge of Labuan Bajo, just inland from the harbour. It is so close to town that the ride to most waterfront accommodation is very short, which is a welcome surprise after a long journey.

Terminals

The airport has a single modern passenger terminal. It is easy to find your way around, with baggage claim and transport desks close to the exit, so you can be out of the building and on your way to the harbour soon after landing.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis wait outside arrivals, and many hotels, dive centres and boat operators include an airport pickup when you book with them. Local motorbike taxis, known as ojek, are another way to get around town. Because distances are short, getting to the airport for your flight home is rarely a problem, but allow time if you are coming straight off a boat trip.

Direct and connecting flights to Labuan Bajo

Most itineraries from Singapore to Labuan Bajo involve one connection, usually in Bali or Jakarta, where domestic services continue east to Flores. Turn on the direct-flight filter in your search to check whether a nonstop direct flight to Labuan Bajo is on sale for your dates.

When you choose a connecting itinerary, leave a comfortable gap between flights, especially if the two legs are booked separately. Some visitors also combine the trip with a few days in Bali, flying on to Labuan Bajo afterwards, which spreads the journey out and adds a second destination.

When to fly to Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo has a dry season that runs roughly from April to November, bringing clear skies, calm seas and the classic golden hills of the Komodo islands. The wetter months from about December to March are greener and quieter, although rough seas can occasionally affect boat trips.

From Singapore, demand peaks in the June and December school holidays and around Chinese New Year, when liveaboard boats and island tours book up well ahead. Indonesian holidays also bring domestic visitors. For better-value fares, compare the months on this page's price chart and consider the shoulder weeks at the start or end of the dry season.

Popular places around Labuan Bajo

Komodo and Rinca islands

These are the two main places to see Komodo dragons in the wild. Park rangers lead walks along set trails, explain the dragons' behaviour and keep visitors at a safe distance from the world's largest lizards.

Padar Island

A short, steep climb up Padar leads to one of Indonesia's most photographed views: three curved bays, each with sand of a different shade. Early morning is the favourite time, before the heat and the day boats arrive.

Pink Beach

Fragments of red coral give the sand here a soft pink tint. The water just offshore is clear and full of fish, so bring a mask and snorkel for a swim between island stops.

Manta Point and the dive sites

The strong currents of the national park feed rich coral reefs and draw manta rays to cleaning stations. Dive centres in Labuan Bajo run day trips and multi-day liveaboards for every level of experience.

Sunset viewpoints in town

Back on Flores, Sylvia Hill and the Puncak Waringin viewpoint overlook the harbour and the scattered islands beyond. They are easy evening outings, and the sunset over the bay is a memorable end to a day at sea.

Where to stay in Labuan Bajo

The waterfront along the main road through town is the most convenient base, with dive shops, cafes and boat operators within walking distance of each other. The hillsides rising behind the harbour offer quieter stays with wide sea views, while the beach areas south of town, around Pede, are calmer and good for families. Travellers after total seclusion sometimes spend a night or two on one of the small nearby islands before or after a boat trip.

Food to try in Labuan Bajo

Grilled fish at the night market

Each evening, stalls near the harbour lay out the day's catch on ice. You choose your fish, squid or prawns, and they are grilled over charcoal and served with rice and fiery sambal.

Se'i

This smoked meat, a speciality of East Nusa Tenggara, is thinly sliced, smoked over wood and served with rice and a sharp chilli condiment. Its deep, smoky flavour is quite different from grilled meats elsewhere in Indonesia.

Flores coffee

The highlands of Flores grow excellent arabica, and cafes around town serve it brewed in many styles. A bag of beans also makes a light souvenir to carry home.

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